The hype surrounding the match will be high as it is to be played at the Stade Velodrome, 20 years after Maradona almost joined Olympique Marseille from Napoli.
France coach Raymond Domenech, who usually does not say much about his team's opponents, is full of praise for Messi and his coach, Maradona.
"He has something exceptional," he said of Messi, who has scored 16 goals in 19 Primera Liga matches with Barcelona this season.
"We see what he's able to do with Barca but also with Argentina, he is able to turn a match around.
"We will face an outstanding player and we will see if we are able to compete at the highest level."
"I dreamed when I was watching him play, like everyone, even if I'm now facing him as a coach," he said.
"He is a young coach and I would be happy to bring him my experience," Domenech added with a cheeky grin.
However, if France are to prevail, they will have to prove their midfield and front line are better than Argentina's.
Yoann Gourcuff's form is a good sign for Les Bleus, who will also rely on Messi's team mate Thierry Henry and Lyon's Karim Benzema to find the back of the net.
